180 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



twist and is instantly deformed. The new tail is seldom 

 as long as the old one ; it is covered with a rudimentary 

 scalation, detracting much from the reptile's previously 

 natty appearance. 



Another pretty species of Europe is the Eyed Liz- 

 ard, L. ocellata, found from southern France through 

 Spain and Portugal, also in northern Africa. The 

 general hue is green or olive, over which are scattered 

 yellow and black dots forming circular, eye-like spots 

 or often running together in a fairly regular reticulate 

 fashion. Old males have a broad, formidable-looking 

 head and frequently reach a length of two feet, of which 

 the tail forms two-thirds. This is also a hardy species 

 for the vivarium. Big specimens should be excluded, 

 however, as they are generally carnivorous and canni- 

 balistic ; they are fond of mice, eggs and young birds, as 

 well as raw beef. 



The Common Lizard, L. vivipara, is extensively dis- 

 tributed. It is found in northern and central Europe 

 and in Siberia clear to the eastern coast, where it occurs 

 on the Island of Saghalien. In Europe it does not 

 occur south of the Alps, or, in the west, the Pyrenees. 

 It is to be found throughout Great Britain and in Ire- 

 land. The colors of this species are not particularly 

 attractive, though subject to much variation. It is 

 brown or rusty above, sprinkled with light and dark 

 spots. On some specimens a black band runs along the 

 back and a dark, yellow-bordered band along each side. 

 An adult is six or seven inches long. 



The Common Lizard is noteworthy from its habit of 

 producing living young — hence the technical specific 

 name. The young are either born free or in thin mem- 

 branous sacs, from which they soon burst their way. 

 The litter may consist of from eight to a dozen young; 



